Presidential museum possible debate site?

Saturday

Jun 30, 2007 at 12:01 AMJun 30, 2007 at 9:08 PM

State Rep. Rich Brauer thinks the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield would make a terrific site for a political debate — possibly even one involving Illinois’ Barack Obama, a Democratic contender for U.S. president.

“What a great showcase. How many times would that be played, not only nationwide, but worldwide, if there was a debate there?” said Brauer, R-Petersburg.

Adriana Colindres

State Rep. Rich Brauer thinks the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield would make a terrific site for a political debate — possibly even one involving Illinois’ Barack Obama, a Democratic contender for U.S. president.

“What a great showcase. How many times would that be played, not only nationwide, but worldwide, if there was a debate there?” said Brauer, R-Petersburg.

The museum, with its facsimile of the White House, is especially suited to host a presidential debate, and the library could be used for local political debates, he said.

To push the idea, Brauer proposed a legislative resolution urging the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency to lift its ban on hosting political events in the downtown complex. The House voted 87-0 Friday in favor of the non-binding measure, House Resolution 467.

Agency spokesman David Blanchette said the IHPA board of trustees created the rule prohibiting political events there. IHPA has a neutral position on Brauer’s resolution, Blanchette said.

Brauer believes if the ALPLM were permitted to host political debates, the resulting media exposure would lure more tourists. He noted that the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California was spotlighted last month when 10 Republican presidential contenders used that facility for a political debate.

“Hopefully, this will give (IHPA officials) encouragement, and they’ll look at their policy and allow future debates there,” he added.

“When you look back at the Lincoln-Douglas debates, what a great heritage. Not to allow them at the Lincoln museum-library complex certainly needs to be looked at.”